PAYING TRIBUTE TO PACE COOPER

On 2026-07-30, Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) delivered a floor speech titled "PAYING TRIBUTE TO PACE COOPER" in the House.

PAYING TRIBUTE TO PACE COOPER

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 125 (Thursday, July 30, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 125 (Thursday, July 30, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E755-E756] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PAYING TRIBUTE TO PACE COOPER ______ HON. STEVE COHEN of tennessee in the house of representatives Thursday, July 30, 2026 Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the substantial public service of my friend Pace Cooper, who is stepping down from the Board of the Memphis and Shelby County Airport Authority after 14 years of service. Pace, the President and CEO of Cooper Hotels, a major hospitality development and management company, has been a pivotal figure in improvements to my city of Memphis. Pace has served as president or chairman of various organizations on both local and international levels. He was chairman of the Memphis and Shelby County Airport Authority from 2015 to 2022 and served on the board since 2012. During his leadership, the airport, known as MEM, increased the number of non- stop flights, transformed the passenger experience with a new concourse and positioned the airport for long-term success. As the former Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have been a staunch supporter of our airport, sending millions of dollars for its improvement, knowing it would be well spent. In addition to his airport activities, Pace has served on the University of Memphis Board of Visitors and serves on the University Foundation Board of Trustees. He is a minority partner in our beloved Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Business School, Pace has been a national business leader and has been instrumental in transforming iconic hotels around [[Page E756]] the country, including in Nashville and Atlanta. He has also served for many years as the president of the Margolin Hebrew Academy and serves as chairman of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. He had wonderful parents, Irby and Bernice. I wish him and his wife Aileen and their children all the best and thank him for his service. ____________________